The Rest of College Football

[froot loops]

We had no giddiness before those two eras began.

[hack]

Nor a reasonable expectation to be that way.

[froot loops]

That's where the difference lies, both Hoke and Rodriguez had a lot of giddiness. Especially in the case of Rich Rodriguez.

[iam416]

Abundant giddiness when RichGOD was hired and the giddiness cup overfloweth after Hoke's first season. Lots of proclamations about the new "10-year War" and Hoke matching UFM and then some.

The giddiness for HARBAUGH!!!! is at another level even if similarly moored to reality.

[hack]

That's where the difference lies, both Hoke and Rodriguez had a lot of giddiness. Especially in the case of Rich Rodriguez.

The difference is that Michigan fans are used to winning, understand it as the norm, and expect that hiring an elite coach will make that happen. Maybe you will feel that way too when it's time for your next hire, but in the past you have had no reason to have that feeling. Michigan even with how little it's gone to the Rose Bowl in this century still dominates appearances, and past experiences inform future expectations. 20 Rose Bowls for Michigan, 14 for OSU. 5 for MSU. Even Illinois and Iowa have gone to Pasadena five times. IIRC until now you had '88 and then 2 in the 60s. So it's should be pretty clear why Michigan fans are excited that a guy acclaimed as one of the best coaches in the game is now our coach, and there's nothing suggesting that Michigan State fans could have those expectations themselves. Play out the decade as you are now and you'll approach that status.

To be clear there was plenty of skepticism over Hoke, including Brian Cook and people on this board such as myself, Optimus Flame and a few others. You can go back and see it. Brian said repeatedly that it was a nepotism hire. Hoke won over most of his skeptics with the charming 2011 season, and it was only after that season that the Hoke>Saban stuff came up. (Give OP credit -- I think he was the only one that didn't give in).

Anyhow, RichRod turned out not as advertised. We'll see if Harbaugh does. But if you guys are looking for a forum with a completely realistic group of sports fans where there's no irrational exuberance and a complete reliance to sober analysis, don't look here. If you go looking for it and find it though, do let me know. I'll be interested to take a look.

[froot loops]

Brian Cook had no skepticism over Rich Rodriguez.

[hack]

I said there was skepticism over Hoke. I wasn't here and watching as closely for that transition, so I don't know. But so what?

[entropy]

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/13065247/college-athletes-major-programs-benefit-confluence-factors-somes-avoid-criminal-charges

[iam416]

(Give OP credit -- I think he was the only one that didn't give in)

I think you're right, though he might have been careless at some point. He certainly wasn't flaming about it. What he did do, though, was far worse. He posted lavish praise for your boy Dave Brandon and what a fantastic job he was doing and what a great AD he was.

[hack]

Agree with all of that save for the ``wasn't flaming'' part. Obviously.

[WingsFan]

They went through Bobby Williams and John L. Smith for about the same amount of time.

John L was a good hire at the time, he was Big Ten Coach of the Year. IMO he lost mind after the meltdown with the botched FG at Ohio State (before halftime) and he never recovered. ? It's easy to forget about those dark days with Michigan State, nobody could predict that Dantonio would have MSU one of the top 5 programs in football 10 years later.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Big Ten Coach of the Year...LOL

So were Ron Turner, Ron Zook, and Brady Hoke.

[froot loops]

You gotta admire Wingsfan, seldom right but never in doubt.

[WingsFan]

I loved thd RichRod hire more than any up till Harbaugh. Im right when it counts FL, like when $$ is involved :-)

[froot loops]

John L Smith was a clown show the whole time. It's not a good thing when your coach is crazy.